Proposed bills address water safety

By MATT WUNSCHE
Collegian Staff Writer

With the new millennium approaching, even legislators are trying to pep up their environmental bills by playing up the year 2000 craze.

This month, state Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield, proposed a package of six bills, known as H2000, which are designed to improve water quality, management and affordability.

The cornerstone of George's package calls for a $450 million bond issue, which will be split between storm water management and the cleanup of 280,000 acres of abandoned mines in Pennsylvania, said Mike Manzo, information specialist for George. In their initial stages, the bills have not encountered significant opposition in the House.

"We think it's a priority and the (Department of Environmental Protection) thinks it's a priority," Manzo said.

However, with Gov. Tom Ridge's announcement Tuesday about the restructuring of state funding for environmental issues, fighting about money may prevent the implementation of George's proposal.

In the address, Ridge announced his plans to redistribute $1.3 billion of environmental funding during the next five years, starting with the 1999-2000 budget. However, Ridge's approval of funding may be the biggest obstacle for the H2000 bill package -- he is unlikely to find room for the bills in his new budget plan.

"Gov. Ridge believes that before we start investing new money, we should make sure existing money is being spent better," said Tom Charles, Ridge's deputy press secretary.

The main area of dispute comes from the fact the funding for the bills is expected to come from a bond issue.

Ridge has not ruled out the possibility of borrowing, but he would prefer restructuring current means of funding, he said in a press release.

If, however, the bills need to be modified in order to gain approval, state Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Centre/Clinton, a co-sponsor of George's proposal, said he is willing to negotiate.

"I am receptive to changes. If it takes changes to get bipartisan support, I'm willing to compromise," he said.

Under conditions of the H2000 proposal, the DEP would prioritize needs for the money and then decide how best to spend it, Manzo said. About $250 million of the money would go toward mine repair, with the remaining amount to be set aside for storm-water management.

The portions of the proposals aimed at dilapidated mines are targeted for the rural parts of the state, while the storm-water management parts have been added to appease the urban areas, Manzo said.

Hanna said his district, including northern Centre County, has been mined for many years and is in need of the bill package.

"The community I represent has a hard time getting the funds they need for water projects," he said.